Using anatomic and metabolic imaging in stereotactic radio neuro-surgery treatments

This study investigated the impact of Biological Target Volume (BTV) segmentation, using [11C]-Methionine-PET (MET-PET) images, and the following co-registration with MR images, used to delineate the Gross Target Volume (GTV), in stereotactic neuro-surgery therapy. MET-PET diagnostic exams provide metabolic information about brain lesions. In this way, the BTV can be used to modify the GTV in order to treat the entire cancer region. Nowadays, GTV is usually delineated using MR images, acquired a few hours before treatment, using manual segmentation. However, this volume often does not match entirely with BTV obtained using PET images. For this reason, metabolic imaging acquire appeal and it could be used to provide additional information useful for treatment planning. Manual segmentation is a time-expensive and operator-dependent procedure: stereotactic radio neuro-surgery treatment effectiveness can be optimized using automatic methods to support clinicians in the planning phase and to improve treatment response assessment.